Human nature is volatile but beautifully complex. Most people, if not all, question their existence and the range of emotions they experience throughout their lives. Why do we feel jealous, anger, wrath, indifference, passion at times, sleepy, young, old...and the list goes on. What do we want ultimately and what is our collective goal? Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if we had been limited to a couple of emotions instead of many. Come to think of it, they must all be necessary and integral to who we are. It's also quite scary to realize that though billions of people populate the earth, humans are the only "superior and intelligent" beings. Animals are vital to the world, but their brains and sensors aren't programmed to advance technology and find cures, for example. Sadly, humans use some animals for testing.

The question is not so much what human nature is, but what purpose it serves. I can't fully answer the question, since I'm limited to my own subjectivity. Still, sociology, psychology, religion, and anthropology shed light on the matter. Based on my religion and spiritual beliefs, I don't think people were designed to be miserable. Free will and the consequence of sin tainted the idyllic happiness we were meant to have, though not to say people can never be happy. However, I do think that here on earth, perfect happiness doesn't exist since it's dependent on our actions, faith, and relationships. In general, spiritual people have more "structured" lives and a sense of purpose than people who with no belief. Atheists are left to their own vagaries and devices. The good thing about religion is that it places people in a universal story that has a mysterious beginning, middle, and ironically, no end. When a person feels loved by God and understands his or her nature, they will be more conscious of their good and bad deeds. If people were created in God's image, then we share aspects of God's nature.

But religion/divinity aside, human beings are powerless as they are powerful. We are powerful because of our ability to make choices and powerless because we have no control over the aging process. Sociologically speaking, humans are social beings whose survival and happiness is contingent on others. Though we're also individuals with personal goals and dreams, our survival depends on the collectivity. In other words, the family unit is the basis of the human race and thus, our happiness. Even childless people still need friends and families for love and support. Love and respect can only be taught through others.

As for evil and malice, which I won't get into here, it's strictly a human trait. Since nobody is perfect, humans are predisposed to evil, though we can choose not to be. Evil doesn't impose itself. Evil is an entity and force separate from God. The only people that struggle with the good/evil duality are humans. Animals kill for their survival and not because they're evil. When sharks attack people, they don't think, "Let me kill this person, this human being." They kill because they sense blood. Animals make their discernments in ways we'll never truly understand. Some people are evil beyond our understanding as well.

Human nature is the result and consequence of our fallen state. Though we have many instincts, we also have the ability to make choices. With all this being said, the point of human nature is the striving to be happy, being in communion or harmony with our divine side, and loving our only race. Though we've fallen short, this purpose hasn't changed the slightest.

Learn more about this author, Vanessa T.
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